The ACSID/SGI Environmental
Services Division is responsible
for maintaining the cleanliness
of the District. Services
provided to the District
through SGI, led by Director
Dan Pirillo, include Ambassador
patrol and environmental
cleaning along Atlantic, Pacific
and Arctic avenues as well as
along the Historic Atlantic City
Boardwalk and all cross
streets. These services augment
and complement those
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provided by the City of Atlantic
City.
Through manual policing (pan
and broom) and the utilization
of a number of specialized
machines Environment Services
staff members sweep,
power wash, vacuum and
steam clean streets and sidewalks;
remove weeds, litter
and graffiti; and maintain
planters, monuments, garbage
receptacles and banners
throughout the District. |
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“ The
Ambassadors
are currently
logging 300+
contacts
per week.” |
In addition to their increased
Boardwalk presence, new staff
and training programs to address
identified concerns, the Ambassador
Division recently updated their
bike fleet and uniforms to create
a more visible presence throughout
the District.
Also, various training programs
have been added to increase Ambassadors’
efficiency and effectiveness:
bicycle maintenance
and operation certification, over- |
seen by Margate Police Department
certified trainers, to alleviate
wear and tear on equipment;
Atlantic City Convention and Visitors
Authority PR training to help
them assist visitors more effectively;
Megan’s Law training; and
Marine Mammal Stranding Center
training, which provides the tools
needed to respond quickly and
effectively when marine mammals
are stranded on our beaches. |
“The Ambassadors are currently
logging 300+ contacts per week
and are quickly gaining acceptance
from local civic groups,
police, merchants and other authorities,
who have been calling
on them for assistance with increasing
frequency.” according to
Ambassador Manager Joe La-
Torre, a veteran Atlantic City Police
Officer who joined ACSID as
Ambassador Manager in the
Spring of 2005. |
 |
In response to a recognized need,
the Ambassadors recently teamed
up with the Atlantic City Rescue
Mission and Covenant House, a
privately funded child welfare
organization, to form the Homeless
Action Team (HAT) to identify
and provide services to the city’s
indigent population with a goal of
getting them off the streets and
back into society.
Thanks to this program, a full time |
social worker on loan from the
Atlantic City Rescue Mission,
working on information provided
by the bike-mounted Ambassadors,
now initiates contact with an
average of 30 homeless persons
per week.
Since May of 2006 an encouraging
one-third of these individuals
have agreed to accept services
and assistance. Identified minors |
are referred to Covenant
House, the largest
privately funded
child welfare agency
in the Americas, providing
shelter and
service to homeless
and runaway youthwith
the same aim: to
get kids off the
streets and back into
society. |
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